Garlic

Cultivating Garlic

The most commonly used part of the plant is the bulb made up of several sections called cloves. The stems and flowers are also edible, and have a faint garlicky flavor. This plant grows easily in most parts of the world and can be found growing wild in many fields and meadows.

Garlic is easy to grow in the home garden and is a great addition to the kitchen. Commercially grown bulbs have none of the intensity and variety of flavor that the homegrown variety do. Some of the heirloom types are:

• Beijing Pink- has a sweet and hot flavor which is perfect for oriental dishes.
• Inchelium Red- a native American variety with a purple color and buttery flavor.
• Spanish Roja- has a strong, spicy flavor and a brown to tan color.
• Red Toch-large bulbs are white with pink streaks. The flavor is mellow, and it has a spicy aroma.
• Tuscan-has pink and white striped cloves with a warm, mild and spicy flavor.

As with most alliums, it grows best in a rich, moist, sandy soil. Divide the bulbs into cloves and plant each of them separately. Plant them two inches deep with six inches of space between them. Plant it in the early spring for a late summer harvest.

As a Medicinal Herb

Garlic has been used in cooking and medicine since the ancient Egyptians and is mentioned in the Bible. Some of the illnesses it is traditionally used for are:

• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Colds
• coughs
• Infections
• Yeast infections, candida
• Regulate blood sugar
• Helps prevent some complications of diabetes
• Intestinal parasites
• Fungal infections
• Ear infections

There have been numerous, significant animal studies that have suggested that garlic has cardiovascular benefits. Each time, supplementation has resulted in the significant reduction of plaque in the aorta, as well as reducing the amount of accumulated cholesterol on the vascular walls. Garlic extract was shown to inhibit the calcification of blood vessels in humans. It is one of the moreaffordable herbs and is easy to find in almost any pharmacy, grocer or health food store.

Louis Pasteur first observed garlic’s antibacterial qualities in 1858, and until World War II is was routinely used to prevent gangrene in patients with infected wounds. The chemical responsible for the health benefits of garlic, allicin, is deactivated during cooking so garlic should be eaten raw when taken for medicinal purposes. It can be used in tinctures as well as taken in capsule form.

Cautions

While this herb has been consumed for thousands of years it can have side effects when taken in medicinal quantities, as well as having reactions with various medications. Always consult your health care provider when adding garlic to you diet.

Garlic may interact with:

• Warfarin
• Calcium channel blockers
• Hypoglycemic drugs

It can also cause thinning of the blood, and has been reported to produce bleeding in pregnancy. Because of the blood thinning capabilities it should be avoided before surgery. The National Institute of Health has released a warning that garlic can impede commonly prescribed HIV medications.

Some people are allergic to garlic. Symptoms of allergy include:

• Headache
• Rash
• Elevated temperature

Cooking with Garlic

Garlic is used in many different cultures to add heat and flavor to the menu. In Italian cooking it gives flavor to sauces and breads, while in Thai cooking it adds a spicy pungency to vegetable dishes. This versatile herb can be added to almost any type of dish. Try it added to mashed potatoes, cream of broccoli soup, or chicken soup.

Some of the more unusual garlic recipes are:

• Persian Sugar Pickled Garlic
• Garlic Ice Cream

Equivalents in Cooking

• 1 head of garlic = ten cloves.
• 1 small garlic clove =
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 medium garlic clove = 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 large garlic clove = 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 extra-large garlic clove = 1 tablespoon minced garlic

Sites of Interest

• Using Garlic in Medical Emergencies
• Cooking with Garlic
• Gilroy Garlic Festival
• Heirloom Garlic

Using garlic is part of everyday life for most people. It is the star attraction at many meals, and capsules of the oil are taken daily by many who believe in its health giving properties. It is part of a healthy, and delicious, lifestyle.